Martin O’Neill was locked in advanced negotiations with Sunderland last night
as the club endeavoured to make a swift appointment after the decision on
Wednesday to dismiss Steve Bruce.

O’Neill met Ellis Short, Sunderland’s owner and chairman, for face-to-face
talks — facilitated by Niall Quinn, the influential international
development director — in London as they sought to thrash out a deal.
Negotiations broke up at about 10pm and were described as extremely positive.

With O’Neill enthused by the challenge of establishing Sunderland, the team he
supported as a boy, as a regular top-ten club in the Barclays Premier League
and the club’s